The neurolemma is underlain by the basal lamina (referred to as the medullary sheath in the included illustrations). In the CNS, axons are myelinated by oligodendrocytes, thus lack neurolemma. The myelin sheaths of Oligodendrocytes do not have neurolemma because excess cytoplasm is directed centrally toward the Oligodendrocyte cell body.

Unlike the axon and the myelin sheath, the neurolemma does not degenerate after a nerve has been cut or crushed; the hollow tube formed by the neurolemma is instrumental in regenerating the nerve fiber